Duterte to CHR: You are better abolished

President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to abolish the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) as he continued to defend the police and soldiers in the country amid allegations of human rights violations in the country.

"And when the time comes, ‘yung CHR, ‘yung opisina dito, you are better abolished," he said at a press conference that followed his second State of the Nation Address and a faceoff with militants who staged a rally against him outside the Batasang Pambansa complex on Monday.

"I will not allow my men to go there to be investigated. Human Rights Commission, you address your request through me because the Armed Forces is under me and the police is under me. Kaya pag kinuwestyon ninyo sila for investigation, dadaan muna sa akin," he added.

The CHR is an independent office created under the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines that is tasked to investigate all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights.

The message is also the same to the Office of the Ombudsman, pointing out that the country is facing a problem.

"And for the Ombudsman to refrain from citing them in contempt for what. Because I have the authority to give the final say whether they will attend or not. Takot-takutin nila ‘yang ano. So huwag ninyo akong pilitin na pati kayo, babanggain ko," he said.

"Pagka nagkabanggaan tayo dito tapos ganito na ang nangyari sa Pilipinas, may problema tayo sa totoo lang. Do not ‘yung paborito ninyong swan song that you will be investigated by this, by that," he added.

The Office of the Ombudsman is a Constitutional Commission responsible for investigating and prosecuting government officials accused of crimes, especially graft and corruption.

Duterte said he wants all investigation against the policemen and soldiers be addressed to him through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

"Attention DILG. 'Pag sinabi kong huwag kayo magpa-imbestiga, huwag kayong magpapaimbestiga," he said.

Martial law

The President also defended security forces from allegations of human rights violations amid the implementation of martial law in Mindanao, which will be extended until December 31.  

He even dared CHR Chairman Chito Gascon to go to Marawi City himself.

"Oh sige. Sino ‘yan… sino ‘yang g– na ‘yan sa CHR? Sino ‘yan? Chito Gascon. Sige. Ikaw magpunta doon. Ikaw ang mag-direct sa traffic, saan sila magpasok," he said.

"O withdraw ‘yung military. Ikaw ang mag-lead doon pagpasok sa kanila. ‘Pag may namatay diyan, ikaw ang talian ko sa poste doon. Practice-an ka ng mga sundalo doon  to improve their accuracy," he said.

The Commander-in-Chief also defended his men, saying they never raped and looted houses in Marawi as alleged by some groups.

"‘Yung sabi, mang-rape, mang-looting, hindi trabaho ng… wala akong ganoong sundalo, at hindi mo ako maintriga. Pati nga baril na sunog na, kinekwenta pa ng mga pobre ‘yan, gaano ka tedious," he said.

"‘Yang lahat ng baril na nakuha nila, i-documentation pa. Magnakaw pa kaya?" Duterte added. — BAP/KVD, GMA News